It was a smoky celebration at Lindsay and Kevin’s Mt. Hood Wedding on Sunday, August 23, 2015 as Northwest wildfires in Oregon and Washington brought a haze that made Mt. Hood in the background appear as a silhouette.
 
It was a comfortable day though with a high temperature in the low 80’s at Mt. Hood B & B in Parkdale, Oregon… my third trip to this fabulous venue this Summer.
 

 
Mt. Hood Wedding Ceremony Highlights:

• Wedding Party Entrance: Lumineers – Ho Hey!
• Flower Girl/Ring Bearer Entrance: House of Pain – Jump Around
• Bride Entrance: Adele – Make You Feel My Love (Acoustic Piano Version)
• Bride/Groom Exit: Bruno Mars – Marry You

Following the wedding ceremony, guests relaxed with a cocktail on the lawn or enjoyed a cup of gelato from a special stand setup nearby. I played a mix of background music that included a casual mix of popular and folky songs from artists loved by the bride and groom, such as Mumford & Sons, Michael Buble, Of Monsters & Men and more.
 

 
For the reception, my main sound system was set-up earlier in the dining area located behind the house. After I introduced Lindsay and Kevin, the buffet was opened for dinner. Background music was a softer variety of alternative favorites that included Jason Mraz, Norah Jones and Dave Matthews Band.
 
Mt. Hood Wedding Reception Highlights:

• Grand Entrance: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/Ray Dalron – Can’t Hold Us
• Cake Cutting: Jack Johnson – Better Together
• First Dance: Ray Lamontagne – You Are The Best Thing
• Bride and Father Dance: Tim McGraw – My Little Girl
• Groom and Mother Dance: Boyz II Men – A Song For Mama
• Last Dance: Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You

I played a few older songs at the beginning, including an opening slow dance that packed the dance floor, but this group really responded to the recent hits like ‘Happy’ from Pharrell Williams that featured the groom’s family passing out the big brown hats that Pharrell wore in the video.
 


 
The rest of the night everyone enjoyed getting down to ‘Uptown Funk,’ ‘Blurred Lines,’ and even some Taylor Swift, as requested by the bride.
 




 
Best wishes Lindsay and Kevin!
 

 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
 
“Rich really made the audio & music elements of our wedding so easy because we knew he had every aspect covered. The event planner tool on the website made song selection very easy and helped with ceremony and reception structure. In speaking with Rich the week before the wedding, he took the time to understand our wants and he “got our vision” instantly. He is very personable and provided some excellent recommendations based on his extensive experience. It translated into a perfectly seamless event. Some of our favorite memories from the wedding were on the dance floor, so thanks to Rich for reading the crowd well and bringing out everyone’s dance moves. We received compliments several friends and family members on our DJ after the wedding!”
-Lindsay Pearce & Kevin Rogers

• Event Date: Saturday, August 23, 2015
• Event Type: Wedding & Reception
• Event Location: Mt. Hood Bed and Breakfast
• Event Staff: Rich Ellis
• Quality of Customer Service via Telephone: Excellent
• Quality of Customer Service via Internet: Excellent
• Quality of Customer Service at Event: Excellent
• Friendliness of your Entertainer: Excellent
• Promptness of your Entertainer: Excellent
• Professionalism of your Entertainer: Excellent
• Entertainer’s Performance: Excellent
• Entertainer’s Appearance: Excellent
• System Appearance: Excellent
• Sound Quality: Excellent
• Overall Volume Levels: Excellent
• Music Selection: Excellent
• Incorporation of Your Requests: Excellent
• Lighting Effects: N/A
• Equipment Appearance: Excellent
• Overall Customer Service: Excellent
• Planning Assistance: Excellent
• Entertainer’s Cooperation with Other Vendors: Excellent
• Overall Performance Rating: Excellent
• Would you recommend this service to others? Yes

 
Oregon Wedding DJ Rich Ellis had the opportunity to perform at Elena and Byron’s reception on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at Green Villa Barn in Independence, Oregon.
 
The ceremony and reception were held in the main ballroom with a video slideshow planned for the start of the wedding. Live music for the ceremony was provided by the Willamette University Apollo Quartet while I monitored the microphones.
 

 
The newlyweds wanted anything Rat Pack for background music during cocktails and dinner, including Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé, and Big Band/Jazz such as Glenn Miller and Dave Brubeck.
 

 
Oregon Wedding DJ Reception Highlights:

• Cake Cutting: Average White Band – Cut the Cake
• First Dance: Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong – Dream a Little Dream of Me
• Bride and Father Dance: Bruce Springsteen – When You Need Me
• Groom and Mother Dance: Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World
• Bridal Party Dance: Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk
• Bouquet Toss: Meghan Trainor – Dear Future Husband
• Garter Toss: Henry Mancini – Pink Panther Theme
• Last Dance: Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight

 
Following the formal dances, I opened the dance floor to all guests. It was a great turnout and perfectly set-up the surprise swing dance lesson that followed, led by Elena, who is a dance instructor in her spare time.
 


 
Everyone appeared to have a lot of fun dancing to the classic hits and current favorites, including Byron’s favorite, Michael Jackson, Pharrell Williams ‘Happy,’ the latest smash ‘Shut Up and Dance’ and more.
 

 
I appreciated the feedback received afterwards from the father of the groom… “Thanks so much for the superb job you did at my son’s wedding. The music was spot on and helped make it a great evening!” -Tom Farley.
 
Best wishes Elena and Byron and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
 

 

 
Anna and David were married on April 11, 2015 at Royal Oaks Country Club in Vancouver, Washington.
 
The day before it was a dry, sunny day, but it rained that night so a tent was a good idea, as they were going to have their April wedding ceremony outside on the back deck rain or shine.
 
Right before the ceremony began, a dark cloud appeared directly above and dropped a heavy shower, but fortunately stopped on cue as the ceremony began.
 
April Wedding Ceremony Highlights:

• Weding Processional & Bride Entrance: Pachelbel Canon in D major – Violin (eXquisite version)
• Bride/Groom Exit: Ray LaMontagne – You Are the Best Thing

 
Everyone moved inside for the reception, where I had a second sound system setup playing background music as guests walked in. The newlyweds requested ‘Brat Pack; Frank Sinatra/Tony Bennett type music for cocktails and dinner.
 

 
April Wedding Reception Highlights:

• Grand Entrance: Pharell Williams – Happy
• Cake Cutting: Weird Al Yankovic – Eat It
• First Dance: David Gray – This Years Love
• Bride and Father Dance: Van Morrison – Into the Mystic
• Groom and Mother Dance: You Light Up My Life (Performed by cousins of the Groom)
• Bridal Party Dance: Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Want To Have Fun
• Bouquet Toss: Beyonce – Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
• Last Dance: Beatles – In My Life

 
During dinner, all 70 guests were seated in the upper dining area at Royal Oaks. This opened up the entire lower area, where I was setup and is mostly dance floor, to just me and the cake. Following the toast, I made sure to invite everyone down to the lower area to witness the cake cutting and First Dance and this led to a great turnout when the dance floor was opened to all guests.
 

 
Anna, Dave and their friends and family enjoyed the classic oldies, including a swing dance, as well as the latest hits and a heavy dose of 90’s Hip Hop as requested by the bride and groom.
 


 
I played everything from ‘Billie Jean’ to ‘Footloose,’ the ‘Cupid Shuffle’ to the latest smash, ‘Uptown Funk.’ The floor was spacious enough to hold everyone there and at times, it seemed like every single guest was dancing.
 



 
Congratulations Anna and Dave and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
 
“Rich was timely, professional and best of all he had us on the floor dancing! What an awesome job!!!” -Anna Niichel

• Event Date: Saturday, April 11, 2015
• Event Type: Wedding & Reception
• Event Location: Royal Oaks
• Event Staff: Rich Ellis
• Quality of Customer Service via Telephone: Excellent
• Quality of Customer Service via Internet: Excellent
• Quality of Customer Service at Event: Excellent
• Friendliness of your Entertainer: Excellent
• Promptness of your Entertainer: Excellent
• Professionalism of your Entertainer: Excellent
• Entertainer’s Performance: Excellent
• Entertainer’s Appearance: Excellent
• System Appearance: Excellent
• Sound Quality: Excellent
• Overall Volume Levels: Excellent
• Music Selection: Excellent
• Incorporation of Your Requests: Excellent
• Lighting Effects: Excellent
• Equipment Appearance: Excellent
• Overall Customer Service: Excellent
• Planning Assistance: Excellent
• Entertainer’s Cooperation with Other Vendors: Excellent
• Overall Performance Rating: Excellent
• Would you recommend this service to others? Yes

 
February 14th fell on a Saturday in 2015 and Andrea and Alex jumped at the chance for a Valentine’s Day Portland, Oregon wedding.
 
Both the ceremony and reception were held in the Heritage Ballroom on the second floor of Bridgeport Brewery in Northwest Portland.
 
Valentine’s Day Portland Oregon Wedding Ceremony Highlights:

• Wedding Processional: Instrumental of “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
• Bride Entrance: Us The Duo – No Matter Where You Are
• Bride/Groom Exit: Stevie Wonder – Signed Sealed Delivered…

 
The newlyweds wanted a variety of music for the dance floor later on, but for cocktails and dinner, requested all Country music. I played a mix that featured selections from George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Zac Brown Band and more. During one song, Mark Wills ‘Back at One,’ a table with mostly members of the wedding party spontaneously broke out singing the chorus.
 
Valentine’s Day Portland Oregon Wedding Reception Highlights:

• Grand Entrance: DJ Snake f_Lil Jon – Turn Down For What
• Cake Cutting: Beatles – All You Need Is Love
• First Dance: Lee Brice – I Don’t Dance
• Bride and Father Dance: Frank Sinatra – Fly Me To The Moon
• Groom and Mother Dance: Rascal Flatts – My Wish
• Bridal Party Dance: Chris Brown – Forever
• Bouquet Toss: Pat Benatar – Hit Me With Your Best Shot
• Garter Toss: Queen – Another One Bites the Dust
• Last Dance: Jason Mraz – Love Someone

Andrea and Alex decided against the traditional cake cutting and opted for donuts from Voodoo Donuts made in their likeness. In place of feeding a piece of cake to each other, they bit the heads off of their donuts 🙂
 
The dance floor at Bridgeport Brewery is pretty much the entire area in front of the bar and guests made good use of it, dancing to everything from ‘Brickhouse’ as requested by the father of the bride to the latest hot hit, ‘Uptown Funk’ from Mark Ronson f/Bruno Mars.
 


 
Congratulations Andrea and Alex and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
 
“Rich was an amazing DJ!!! My wedding day went off without a hitch and played everything I wanted!!! I would definitely recommend him to anyone!!!” -Andrea Rodriguez & Alex Frace

• Event Date: Saturday, February 14, 2015
• Event Type: Wedding & Reception
• Event Location: Bridgeport Brew Pub
• Event Staff: Rich Ellis
• Quality of Customer Service via Telephone: Excellent
• Quality of Customer Service via Internet: Excellent
• Quality of Customer Service at Event: Excellent
• Friendliness of your Entertainer: Excellent
• Promptness of your Entertainer: Excellent
• Professionalism of your Entertainer: Excellent
• Entertainer’s Performance: Excellent
• Entertainer’s Appearance: Excellent
• System Appearance: Excellent
• Sound Quality: Excellent
• Overall Volume Levels: Excellent
• Music Selection: Excellent
• Incorporation of Your Requests: Excellent
• Lighting Effects: Excellent
• Equipment Appearance: Excellent
• Overall Customer Service: Excellent
• Planning Assistance: Excellent
• Entertainer’s Cooperation with Other Vendors: Excellent
• Overall Performance Rating: Excellent
• Would you recommend this service to others? Yes